Dementia Activity Room Opening

Sydney Adventist Hospital (the San) has marked a significant milestone in our journey to enhance patient care, with the opening of the Rosella Activity Room this week. A part of the inaugural San Foundation Research Grant, this project embodies the San’s commitment to caring for the mind, body, and spirit. 

The Rosella Activity Room is designed to improve outcomes for our dementia patients by creating a space that meets their psychosocial needs. By establishing an environment tailored to this vulnerable group, we aim to reduce the length of stay, decrease hospital-acquired complications, lessen the stress on our nursing staff, and minimize the use of psychotropics and falls. 

“We know that coming into an acute hospital setting can escalate the impacts of a cognitive impairment on patients, their families and their care team. So it's important we try to where we can work with families and patients to reduce the impact that that stress causes,” said Brett Goods, Adventist HealthCare CEO.  

As part of the blessing of the activity room, Steve Stephenson, Director of Mission Integration reflected on the comprehensive approach that is being taken to support patients with cognitive impairment and their loved ones.  Chaplain Lucy Choong then delivered a short blessing.  

“We thank you for the provision of this specialty ward and the staff here in the Rosella Activity Room, we ask for the love and compassion of our Lord Jesus to permeate this place and for the comfort, wisdom and counsel of the Holy Spirit to be felt here continually,” she prayed. 

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this happen including Maretha Venter, Nursing Unit Manager, all the ward staff, the wider allied health team and donors. This is an exciting step forward in patient care, and we anticipate meaningful changes in the journey of our dementia patients. For more information or to support this initiative, please contact the San Foundation team.  

Congratulations to Dr. Ketan Bhatt and Marleta Fong on this achievement - we look forward to seeing the benefits of this initiative reflected in future research papers.